# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (September 16, 2012)

• Participants discussed the decline of molecular nanotechnology (MNT) companies like Nanorex, noting that funding has shifted toward nanoparticles and nanocoatings rather than true molecular assemblers, with debate about whether Zyvex's work on atomic layer epitaxy represents progress toward atomically precise manufacturing.

• The open-source NanoEngineer-1 molecular CAD software was discussed, with concerns about its wiki being offline and technical challenges in upgrading it due to outdated libraries, Python limitations, and insufficient unit tests.

• A substantive debate occurred on mind uploading versus cell repair machines for life extension, with arguments that brain scanning requires atomic-level precision due to the brain's analog nature, alongside discussion of neural simulation projects like OpenWorm and references to Markram's neuron database.

• Peptide synthesis was analyzed as approximately 1000x cheaper than DNA synthesis (around $37 for 5mg), though participants noted synthesis becomes exponentially more difficult beyond 30 amino acids, and raised concerns about the legitimacy of online peptide suppliers.

• The conversation referenced Greg Maxwell's release of 33GB of JSTOR papers via The Pirate Bay and Aaron Swartz's "Guerilla Open Access Manifesto" (http://p2pfoundation.net/Guerilla_Open_Access_Manifesto), highlighting tensions around scientific knowledge access.

• Participants critiqued the transhumanist movement for being too philosophical rather than technically focused, arguing that H+ should actively advance technology instead of passively waiting for others to develop it.